Oh My Aching Feet!

"Oh my aching feet!" can be heard from anyone who stands on their feet all day to someone who wears uncomfortable shoes for the sake of fashion. If you are not lucky enough to have someone who likes to give foot massages, here are some simple things you can do for yourself to make your feet feel great.

A simple foot massage to help ease tension in your feet and help stretch out your arches can be done with a tennis ball. While sitting down, roll the ball under your foot with some pressure. Roll the ball up the middle of your foot from heel to toes; roll the ball across the arch below your toes; and then roll the ball up and down on the arches on the sides of your foot. Finally, roll the ball in circles under your heel. Repeat as often as needed until the tension in your foot is relieved.

Another way tension in your feet can be relieved is a foot bath. A plastic dishpan works great as a simple foot bath. Fill the bath with enough water to cover your feet. Warm water can be used to relax your muscles, but sometimes a cool bath feels good on hot summer days. Place the bath on a bath towel on the ground with enough towel around the edges to place your wet feet on before standing up when you're done. Place some marbles in the bath and then roll both of your feet over the marbles. For even greater effect, you can add epsom salt to the bath which aids in muscle relaxation. Epsom salts can be found at any neighborhood pharmacy. Read the package instructions to know how much to add to the foot bath. Another great addition is essential oils. Lavender, tea tree oil, or peppermint are great additions to foot baths. Ask your massage therapist where the oils can be purchased and how to properly use them.

Try these simple solutions in between your massage sessions for happy feet everyday!